We are sold on the power of arts education for children.

Studies show that creative activity improves fine motor skills, language and vocabulary, decision making, visual-spatial skills and cultural awareness. A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts are four times more likely to participate in a math and science fair than children who do not participate in arts.

The Austin Area Commission for the Arts is committed to making art education accessible to all children in the area with help from our partners. Two accessible art education efforts are $5 Kids Art Studio and Z Puppets Rosenschnoz.

Every Saturday morning a 90-minute Kids Art Studio class is offered for ages 4-14 at the ArtWorks Center for $5. Topics range from clay to painting to puppet making. Class sizes are limited, so registration is required, online or at the ArtWorks Center.

The 2017 schedule launches at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7 with instructor Nicole Weiss presenting a Clay project. The rest of the month includes Star Decorating with Jenelle Cummings on Jan. 14, Clay with Nicole Weiss on Jan. 21 and 3-D Valentine Cards with Krystal Lennie on Jan.  28.

Kids Studio classes are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Southeast Minnesota Arts Council grant thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and by a donation from Ruth Wunderlich.

STEAM art

The AACA is partnering with award-winning puppet artists Shari Aronson and Chris Griffith of Z Puppets Rosenschnoz to present STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education.

Planned activities include: STEAM-focused puppet-making lab as part of Kids Studio on Feb. 11; STEAM of Puppetry residency for all fifth and sixth graders at I.J. Holton Intermediate school in February; and two performances of Cellula, a glow-in-the-dark performance of cellular mitosis at the Historic Paramount Theatre on Saturday, March 25 at $10 per adult and $5 per child.

Children participating in the puppet-making labs at the ArtWorks Center or at I.J. Holton will receiving two-for-one coupons to attend the performance.

Z Puppets Rosenschnoz programing is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board grant thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and by the support of sponsors and private donors.

Coming soon at the Paramount Theatre

•After Christmas at Home: Jan. 6 and 7, a music variety show to benefit the Austin Public Schools music program has been rescheduled. We will honor tickets purchased for the Dec. 16 and 17 show and more tickets are available. Reserved seating.

•Dance Party: A tribute to Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens featuring Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, with Denny Charnecki and the D.C. Drifters on Jan. 14

Coming soon at the ArtWorks Center

•$5 Kids Studio: January 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Clay with Nicole Weiss

•Paul Walech-Roth Gallery: Open reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 with refreshments followed by “ Two Voices, One Room: Classical favorites arranged for Viola and Cello,”  a free recital at 7 p.m.

Find out more at www.austinareaarts.org